The Boston Pizza-presented Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour opened its 21st season in Manitoba May 11-12 with the 2019 MJT Manitoba Series presented by PLYR Golf at Portage Golf Club.

Competitive junior golfers from across the Canadian prairies arrived in Portage la Prairie to compete in six age divisions in perfect golfing conditions, also vying for direct exemptions into the 2019 Future Champions Golf International Championship in El Cajon, Cali., and shortlisted spots in the IMG Academy Junior World Championships in San Diego, Cali.

Jacob Armstrong, 17, of Winnipeg, fired rounds of 71 and 75 (146) to claim the Hoselton trophy in the MJT Junior Boys Division by four shots over Chase Gedak, 17, of Estevan, Sask., (75, 75 – 150). Portager Owen Gillespie finished third after posting rounds of 79 and 81.

“My birdie on the first hole of the second round got me going and put me in the right mindset,” remarked Armstrong, who had three birdies between his two rounds. “I really enjoyed every bit of the tournament. I played with some great competitors and had a lot of fun.”

A tight, back-and-forth race took place among the MJT Juvenile Boys between Winnipegers Jordan McDonald, 15, (74, 72 – 146), Noah Fiks, 15, (75, 73 – 148), and Neel Soni, 16, (73, 75 – 148). McDonald played his final nine holes of the tournament minus one with no bogeys which led to his two-shot victory.

“I had a rough front nine on day two,” said McDonald. “But I came back bogey free on the back nine. It felt great to win my third MJT title, especially on Mother’s Day.”

A dramatic three-person playoff took place between 13-year old Hayden Delaloye (83, 76 – 159) of Neepawa, 13-year old Grady Chuback (82, 77 – 159) of Headingley, and 14-year old Scott Miner (80, 79 – 159) of Winnipeg. With both Chuback and Delaloye coming back to force a playoff, it took two holes for Delaloye to claim victory and win the Hoselton Trophy for his division.

“I knew I needed to make a charge and so it was great to play as well as I did down the stretch,” said Delaloye, who played his final five holes on day two at two under. “I told my mom after the first round that I would win the tournament for her. I’m really happy that I was able to deliver for her on Mother’s Day.”

The MJT Peewee Boys title was claimed by 12-year old Spence Mott of Brandon, who carded rounds of 86 and 85 (171).

“I had a great time playing in the tournament,” said Mott. “I was also looking forward to the pizza after.”

Finishing runner-up in the division, three shots behind, was East St. Paul resident Cashe McNabb, 11, who fired rounds of 81 and 93 (174). Portage la Prairie’s Carson Inman finished third with rounds of 89 and 88 (177).

Mikyla Albert, 17, of Selkirk, claimed both the MJT Girls 15-18 title and the low overall girls score after firing rounds of 79 and 78 (157). Brynne Paschinski, 17, of Brandon, carded rounds of 94 and 90 (184) to finish second in her division.

The next Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour stop in the province is the MJT Manitoba Series at Carman Golf Club on June 8 and 9. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.